Wednesday, April 21, 2010

New Caledonian Crows put up an Amazing Display

Till now we thought that the ability to fashion tools are unique to primates. Here comes a surprise from the crows.

Scientists from New Zealand's University of Auckland have found that New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides) are able to use three tools in succession while searching for food. These birds are the only birds known to craft and use tools in the wild.

To extract food from hard-to-reach nooks the crows fashion branches into hooks and tear leaves into barbed probes. The birds can craft new tools even out of unfamiliar materials. This has left the scientists in awe. Yes, we are yet to fathom the full mysteries of nature.

Details of the research is published in the current issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society B